Author: Omar C. Garcia

A Mouse Story

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A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. “What food might this contain?” the mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.”

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!” The pig sympathized, but said, “I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers.”

The mouse turned to the cow and said “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!” The cow said, “Wow, Mr. Mouse. I’m sorry for you, but it’s no skin off my nose.”

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s mousetrap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house — like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer’s wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she returned home with a fever.

Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient. But his wife’s sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer’s wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.

The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn’t concern you, remember — when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another. Each of us is a vital thread in another person’s tapestry. Our lives are woven together for a reason. One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend.

William Borden

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In 1904, a young man named William Borden graduated from high school in Chicago, Illinois. He was a member of Moody Bible Church and his pastor was R. A. Torrey.

William, a fine Christian young man, was heir of the famous Borden dairy estate and a multi-millionaire at the time he finished high school. As a graduation present, his parents sent him on a cruise around the world.

While on this cruise, God opened William’s eyes and his heart to the masses of unsaved people around the world. God’s work in William’s heart was evident in the tone of his letters home. In one of his letters home, William wrote, “Dear Mom, I think God is calling me to be a missionary.” His final letter said, “I know God is calling me to be a missionary.”

Becoming a missionary was not in the Borden family plan. William was the most gifted of all the children and was to take over the family business. He returned home from his cruise and enrolled at Yale where he spent four years. He spent an additional three years in seminary.

While in seminary, William gave away all of his personal wealth. After giving away his wealth, he opened his Bible and turned to the flyleaf and wrote two words – “No Reserves.” He wanted to live by faith and to trust God for everything in his life.

William began to pray about where God wanted him to serve as a missionary. God put China on his heart where he hoped to work with a group of Muslims. William committed himself to go.

A couple of days before he was to board the ship and sail, his father became deathly ill. His family came to him and said, “William, you can’t leave now! You’ve got to come and run the family business.” He said, “I cannot. I am committed now. There is no turning back.” He opened up his Bible to the flyleaf again and wrote two more words – “No Retreat.”

As he was sailing to China, his ship stopped in Egypt and, while there, William contracted cerebral meningitis and died within 3 weeks. Seven years of training, a promising future, and yet William never made it to the mission field.

When his family found his Bible, they opened it and saw what was written in the flyleaf. There were two more words written there that he must have scribbled before he died – “No Regrets.”

Illustrations

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A collection of miscellaneous bits and pieces of information and illustrations to supplement your lessons. 

GENERAL

• 11 Rules for Children to Learn | Good advice for all kids.
• 177 Titles and Names of Christ | Based on the KJV.
• 25 Great One-Liners | Thoughts to ponder.
• 57 Cents | God can use the smallest to do His work.
• A Matter of Perspective | Regarding our troops.
• A Mouse Story | When one of us is threatened we are all at risk.
• A Refiner and Purifier of Silver | Insight into the refiner and his fire.
• A Village of Just 100 People | If the world was reduced to a village of 100.
• An 8 Year Old Explains God | A child’s homework assignment.
• I Receive Your Smell | Saying “I Love You” in the Fon language of Benin.
• Beauty of Mathematics | What will it take for you to give 101%?
• Before You Decide | Ask these questions before making decisions.
• Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee Beans | Which are you?
• Cell Phones and Bibles | If we treated our Bibles like our cell phones.
• Chain Reaction | Events set in motion by a Sunday School treacher.
• Change Your Strategy | Think about how we say things.
• Christ in the Word | Christ in all the books of the Bible.
• Coal Basket Bible | Read a portion of God’s Word every day.
• Corporate Geniuses | For lessons on leadership.
• Dear God | Children’s prayers to God.
• Do Good Now! | Don’t put off opportunities to do good.
• Dogs | Are you the person your dog thinks you are?
• Don’t We All? | Three words worth considering.
• Dr. Christianson’s Donuts | Not all sermons are preached with words.
• Easter 2008 | Why Easter came early in 2008.
• Fellowship of the Unashamed | From the diary of a young African martyr.
• God and the Spider | An unusual wall of protection.
• Have a Cup of Coffee | A thought-provoking parable.
• I Think About You Everyday | A man with a close walk with Jesus.
• Information, Please | Never underestimate the impression you make.
• Inspiring Thoughts | By great Christian speakers.
• Integrity Counts | How much is your integrity worth?
• Interest on the Widow’s Mite | Do the math on this small gift.
• Interesting Signs | These give new meaning to “signs of the times.”
• Isaiah 65:24 | An African child who prayed with boldness.
• It Depends Whose Hands It’s In | Consider the worth of what is in your hands.
• It’s Almost Jesus’ Birthday | What gift will you give to Jesus this year?
• Jesus Had No Servants | Consider Jesus and how He lived.
• Jesus Loves Me | Senior adult version.
• Language Twists | Who said English was easy to learn?
• Mean Moms and Dads | Why parents are so mean.
• Old Cowboy in Church | Illustration of James 2:1-4.
• One Sentence Themes of Bible Books | Based on the KJV.
• One Solitary Life | A summary of Christ’s life.
• Positive Diversity | People will remember how you made them feel.
• Psalm 23 | A new look at a favorite psalm.
• Quotes by Famous People
• Random Thoughts | Modern day proverbs.
• Resumé of Jesus Christ | Give Jesus the top position ion your heart.
• Return the Cross to Golgotha | Don’t lose sight of where Jesus died.
• Road Rage | Do others see Jesus in you?
• Seven Great Changes | Insight from D.L. Moody.
• State Constitution Preambles
• Take the Son | Illustration of John 3:16.
• Ten Ways to Stay Young
• The Bible Attacked
• The Bible in 50 Words
• The Bottom Line | No excuses for living according to low expectations.
• The Carpenter | Build wisely.
• The Lord’s Baseball Game | It takes Grace to get you home.
• The Lord’s Prayer
• The Meaning of the Candy Cane | A symbol of the meaning of Christmas.
• The Sand and the Stone | Advice for dealing with hurts and blessings.
• The Seven Wonders of the World
• The Tablecloth | Beautiful story about a reunion.
• The Value | Value what is important.
• The Whipping | What Jesus did for us.
• Three Things | Consider this as you live your life.
• To Kids Born in the 1930’s — 1960’s | Reflections on growing up.
• Violinist in the Metro | It pays to stop to listen to the music.
• What Will God Ask?
• What Others Have Said About the Bible
• When Insults Had Class | On the use of the tongue.
• William Borden | A short life well-lived.
• You Say / God Says | Keep things in perspective.

POETRY

• Back Home | Reflecting on childhood.
• Count Your Blessings
• Failure | A reminder that failure does not have to be final.
• Freedom Isn’t Free
• Holy Alphabet
• I Won’t Let Go | On perseverance.
• Kiss My Foot | Every member of the body is important.
• Ten Little Christians | Are you on the building or wrecking crew?
• The Anvil | About the enduring nature of God’s Word.
• The Cork and the Whale | About staying afloat in tough times.
• The Oyster | Making the most of what gets under your skin.
• The Weaver | On perspective.
• Tomorrow | On procrastination.
• When Tomorrow Starts Without Me | On loss and grief.

HUMOR

• Average Christians Can’t Play Baseball
• Bible Humor
• Biblical Headlines
• Can of Worms | An object lesson goes wrong.
• Children’s Biblical Wisdom
• Classes for Men
• Daddy’s Gonna Eat Your Fingers
• Eleven People on a Rope | The power of a moving speech.
• Humorous Newspaper Ads
• Holiday Tips
• Inquiring Minds Want to Know
• Just One of Those Days
• Kids Answers to Questions About Moms
• Melody in F | A different look at the parable of the prodigal son.
• Noah’s Ark 2005
• Pecans in the Cemetery | How fast can you run?
• Praise Choruses and Hymns
• Redneck Church
• Religious Funnies
• Riding a Dead Horse
• Secret of a Long Marriage
• A Senior Christmas | New twist on “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
• Signs You Are in For a Long Sermon
• Summary of Last Year on Computer
• Ten Reasons You Should Tithe
• Test to See if You’re a Grinch
• Ways to Know You’re in a Bad Church
• Wrong E-mail Address | Double-check the address before sending email.

A Matter of Perspective

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Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.
He stays up for days on end.

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a “headache” and call in sick.
He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don’t support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure you’re cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash on your “buddies” that aren’t with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He does not get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for months, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn’t have time to brush his teeth today.

You are angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He is told he will be held an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love’s perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they’ll ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own government and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.
He hears the gunfire and bombs.

You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don’t.
He does what he is told.

You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call and write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your bed, with down pillows, and try to get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5-minute nap, only to be awakened by gunfire.

You sit there and judge him, saying the world is a worse place because of men like him.
If only there were more men like him.

Pray for these soldiers and ask God to protect them.
God Bless America

57 Cents

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A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was “too crowded.”

“I can’t go to Sunday School,” she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.

Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.

As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.

Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: “This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School”

For two years she had saved for this offering of love.

When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.

He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there…

A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands.

When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.

Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide.

Within five years the little girl’s gift had increased to $250,000.00—a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit Temple University, where thousands of students are educated.

Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russ H. Conwell, author of the book, “Acres of Diamonds.”

25 Great One-Liners

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1. Give God what’s right — not what’s left.

2. Man’s way leads to a hopeless end — God’s way leads to an endless hope.

3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma — but never let him be the period.

6. Don’t put a question mark where God puts a period.

7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a faith-lift.

8. When praying, don’t give God instructions – just report for duty.

9. Don’t wait for six strong men to take you to church.

10. We don’t change God’s message — His message changes us.

11. The church is prayer-conditioned.

12. When God ordains, He sustains.

13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

14. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.

16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.

17. Exercise daily — walk with the Lord.

18. Never give the devil a ride — he will always want to drive.

19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

21. He who angers you controls you.

22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.

23. Give Satan an inch and he’ll be a ruler.

24. Be ye fishers of men — you catch them and He’ll clean them.

25. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

177 Titles and Names of Christ

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1.  Abraham’s Seed  Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16 
2.  Advocate  1 John 2:1 
3.  Almighty  Revelation 1:8 
4.  Alpha and Omega  Revelation 1:8; 22:13 
5.  Amen  Revelation 3:14 
6.  Angel  Genesis 48:16; Exodus 23:20-21 
7.  Angel of God’s Presence  Isaiah 63:9 
8.  Angel of the Lord  Exodus 3:2; Judges 13:15-22 
9.  Apostle  Hebrews 3:1 
10.  Arm of the Lord  Isaiah 51:9; 53:1 
11.  Authour and Finisher of our faith  Hebrews 12:2 
12.  Author of eternal salvation  Hebrews 5:9 
13.  Beginning of the creation of God  Revelation 3:14 
14.  Beloved  Ephesians 1:6 
15.  Beloved Son  Matthew 12:18 
16.  Blessed and only Potentate  1 Timothy 6:15 
17.  Branch  Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12 
18.  Bread of Life  John 6:35, 48 
19.  Bridegroom  Matthew 9:15 
20.  Bright and Morning Star  Revelation 22:16 
21.  Captain of Salvation  Hebrews 2:10 
22.  Captain of the Lord’s Host  Joshua 5:14-15 
23.  Carpenter  Mark 6:3 
24.  Carpenter’s Son  Matthew 13:55 
25.  Chief Cornerstone  Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6 
26.  Chief Shepherd  1 Peter 5:4 
27.  Christ  Matthew 16:20; Mark 14:16; Luke 23:2 
28.  Christ Jesus  Acts 19:4; Romans 3:24; 8:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30 
29.  Christ Jesus our Lord  Romans 8:39; 1 Timothy 1:12 
30.  Christ of God  Luke 9:20 
31.  Christ the Lord  Luke 2:11 
32.  Commander  Isaiah 55:4 
33.  Consolation of Israel  Luke 2:25 
34.  Cornerstone  Matthew 21:42; Ephesians 2:20 
35.  Counselor  Isaiah 9:6 
36.  Creator  John 1:3 
37.  David  Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 34:23 
38.  Dayspring  Luke 1:78 
39.  Deliverer  Romans 11:26 
40.  Desire of all nations  Haggai 2:7 
41.  Door  John 10:7 
42.  Elect of God  Isaiah 42:1 
43.  Eternal life  1 John 1:2; 5:20 
44.  Everlasting Father  Isaiah 9:6 
45.  Faithful and True  Revelation 19:11 
46.  Faithful Witness  Revelation 1:5; 3:14 
47.  First and Last  Revelation 1:17; 2:8 
48.  Firstborn  Psalm 89:27; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 1:5 
49.  Forerunner  Hebrews 6:20 
50.  Fountain  Zechariah 13:1 
51.  Glory of the Lord  Isaiah 40:5 
52.  God  Isaiah 40:9; John 20:28 
53.  God blessed forever  Romans 9:5 
54.  God’s fellow  Zechariah 13:7
55.  Good Shepherd  John 10:14 
56.  Governor  Matthew 2:6 
57.  Great High Priest  Hebrews 4:14 
58.  Head of the Church  Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18 
59.  Heir of all things  Hebrews 1:2 
60.  High Priest  Hebrews 4:14 
61.  Holy Child  Acts 4:27 
62.  Holy One  Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27; 3:14 
63.  Holy One of God  Mark 1:24 
64.  Holy One of Israel  Isaiah 41:14; 54:5 
65.  Horn of salvation  Luke 1:69 
66.  I AM  Exodus 3:14; John 8:58 
67.  Image of God  2 Corinthians 4:4 
68.  Immanuel  Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 
69.  Jesus  Matthew 1:21; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 
70.  Jesus Christ  Matthew 1:1 
71.  Jesus of Nazareth  Matthew 21:11; Mark 1:24; Luke 24:19 
72.  Judge  Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:8 
73.  Judge of Israel  Micah 5:1 
74.  Just One  Acts 7:52; 22:14 
75.  King  Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5 
76.  King of Glory  Psalms 24:7-10 
77.  King of Israel  John 1:49 
78.  King of Kings  1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14 
79.  King of peace  Hebrews 7:2 
80.  King of righteousness  Hebrews 7:2 
81.  King of saints  Revelation 15:3 
82.  King of Salem  Hebrews 7:1 
83.  King of the Jews  Matthew 2:2; 27:37; John 19:19 
84.  King of Zion  Matthew 21:25 
85.  Lamb  Revelation 5:6,12; 13:8; 21:22; 22:3 
86.  Lamb of God  John 1:29,36 
87.  Lawgiver  Isaiah 33:22 
88.  Leader  Isaiah 55:4 
89.  Life  John 14:6; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 1:2 
90.  Light of the world  John 1:8; 8:12 
91.  Lily of the valleys  Song of Solomon 2:1 
92.  Lion of the tribe of Judah  Revelation 5:5 
93.  Living bread  John 6:51 
94.  Living stone  1 Peter 2:4 
95.  Lord and Savior  2 Peter 1:11; 3:18 
96.  Lord Christ  Colossians 3:24 
97.  Lord God Almighty  Revelation 15:3 
98.  Lord God of the holy prophets  Revelation 22:6 
99.  Lord Jesus  Acts 7:59; Colossians 3:17 
100.  Lord Jesus Christ  Acts 11:17; 16:31; 20:21 
101.  Lord of all  Acts 10:36 
102.  Lord of glory  1 Corinthians 2:8; James 2:1 
103.  Lord of Hosts  Isaiah 44:6 
104.  Lord of Lords  1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16 
105.  Lord our righteousness  Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16 
106.  Man of sorrows  Isaiah 53:3 
107.  Mediator  1 Timothy 2:5 
108.  Messenger of the covenant  Malachi 3:1 
109.  Messiah  Daniel 9:25; John 1:41 
110.  Mighty God  Isaiah 9:6 
111.  Mighty One of Israel  Isaiah 30:29 
112.  Mighty One of Jacob  Isaiah 49:26; 60:16 
113.  Moringstar  Revelation 22:16; 2 Peter 1:19 
114.  Most Holy  Daniel 9:24 
115.  Nazarene  Matthew 9:23 
116.  Offspring of David  Revelation 22:16 
117.  Only begotten  John 1:14 
118.  Only begotten Son John 1:18 
119.  Our Passover  1 Corinthians 5:7 
120.  Potentate  1 Timothy 6:15 
121.  Power of God  1 Corinthians 1:24 
122.  Prince  Acts 5:31 
123.  Prince of life  Acts 3:15 
124.  Prince of peace  Isaiah 9:6 
125.  Prince of the kings of the earth  Revelation 1:5 
126.  Prophet  Matthew 21:11; Luke 24:19; John 7:40 
127.  Rabbi  John 1:49 
128.  Rabboni  John 20:16 
129.  Ransom  1 Timothy 2:6 
130.  Redeemer  Job 19:25; Isaiah 59:20; 60:16 
131.  Resurrection and life  John 11:25 
132.  Rock  1 Corinthians 10:4 
133.  Rock of offence  1 Peter 2:8 
134.  Root of David  Revelation 5:5; 22:16 
135.  Root of Jesse  Isaiah 11:10 
136.  Rose of Sharon  Song of Solomon 2:1 
137.  Ruler of Israel  Micah 5:2 
138.  Savior  Luke 2:11; 2 Peter 2:20; 3:18 
139.  Savior of the body  Ephesians 5:23 
140.  Sceptre  Numbers 24:17 
141.  Second Adam  1 Corinthians 15:45 
142.  Second Man  1 Corinthians 15:47 
143.  Seed of David  2 Timothy 2:8 
144. Seed of woman  Genesis 3:15 
145.  Servant  Isaiah 42:1; 52:13; 53:11; Acts 4:30 
146.  Servant of Rulers  Isaiah 49:7 
147.  Shepherd  Mark 14:27 
148.  Shepherd and overseer of souls  1 Peter 2:25 
149.  Shepherd of Israel  Psalm 80:1 
150.  Shiloh  Genesis 49:10 
151.  Son of David  Matthew 9:27 
152.  Son of God  Luke 1:35; John 1:49 
153.  Son of Joseph  John 6:42 
154.  Son of man  John 5:27 
155.  Son of the Blessed  Mark 14:61 
156.  Son of the Father  2 John 1:3 
157.  Son ofthe Highest  Luke 1:32 
158.  Star  Numbers 24:17 
159.  Stone of stumbling  1 Peter 2:8 
160.  Sun of righteousness  Malachi 4:2 
161.  Sure foundation  Isaiah 28:16 
162.  Surety  Hebrews 7:22 
163.  Teacher  Matthew 23:8; John 3:2 
164.  Tender plant  Isaiah 53:2 
165.  True God  1 John 5:20 
166.  True light  John 1:9 
167.  True vine  John 15:1 
168.  Truth  John 14:6 
169.  Vine  John 15:1 
170.  Way  John 14:6 
171.  Wisdom  Proverbs 8:12 
172.  Wisdom of God  1 Corinthians 1:24 
173.  Witness  Isaiah 55:4; Revelation 1:5 
174.  Wonderful  Isaiah 9:6 
175.  Word  John 1:1; 1 John 5:7 
176.  Word of God  Revelation 19:13 
177.  Word of life  1 John 1:1 

11 Rules for Children to Learn

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1. Life is not fair. Get used to it.

2. The world won’t care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

3. You will NOT make 40 thousand dollars a year right out of high school.

4. If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

5. Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping … they called it “opportunity”.

6. If you mess up, it’s not your parents’ fault, so don’t whine about your mistakes. Learn from them.

7. Before you were born, your parents weren’t as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents’ generation, try organizing the closet in your own room.

8. Your school may have done away with “winners” and “losers,” but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades, and they’ll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn’t bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

9. Life is not divided into semesters. You don’t get Summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.

10. Television is NOT real life. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

11. Be nice to “nerds.” Chances are you’ll end up working for one.


• The above rules are an excerpt from the book “Dumbing Down Our Kids: Why American Children Feel Good About Themselves, But Can’t Read, Write or Add” by educator Charles Sykes.

Matthew 13

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Matthew 13:1-9

13:1 That same day [presumably same day in which the severe confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees took place (12:24-45)] Jesus went out of the house [to be more accessible to people] and sat by the lake [Sea of Galilee].

13:2 Such large crowds gathered around Him [Jesus still very popular; crowds still eager to hear Him] that he got into a boat [easier to face and address the crowd from this place] and sat [customary position for Jewish teachers] in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

One day, after a confrontation with religious leaders (Matt. 12:22-45), Jesus spoke to a large crowd by the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 13:1). He had to get into a boat and use it as a platform from which to speak to the people (Matt. 13:2). Jesus told those assembled along the shore many things in parables (Matt. 13:3). A parable is best defined as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

13:3 Then he told them many things in parables [to reveal truth (make it clearer) to those who wanted to understand and conceal it from those who only wanted to criticize/reject it], saying: “A farmer [focus of parable is not the sower (farmer)] went out to sow [customary to sow wheat or barley by hand] his seed.

13:4 As he [same sower] was scattering [perhaps flinging by hand] the seed [same seed], some [unavoidably] fell [focus of parable is the soils] along the path [too hard to receive seed; hardened by much foot traffic], and [it was walked on (Lk. 8:5)] the birds came and ate it up [quickly and completely].

13:5 Some fell on rocky places [limestone bedrock close to surface], where it did not have much soil. It sprang [germinated and grew] up quickly, because the soil was shallow [little depth of soil preventing the possibility of establishing deep roots; little retention of moisture in thin soil].

13:6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root [thus not able to reach moisture].

13:7 Other seed fell among thorns [deprive plants of sun and nourishment], which grew up [usually quickly] and choked the plants.

13:8 Still other [of the same kind] seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop [design and intent of the sower] — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

13:9 He who has ears [spiritual capacity], let him [personal responsibility] hear [ponder the parable and make appropriate application].”

Matthew 13:18-23

13:18 [originally, Jesus shared parable with the multitude and later revealed its meaning to His disciples (vv. 10-18)] “Listen [pay close attention] then to what the parable of the sower [minister, missionary, evangelist, any believer: responsible to declare the message but hearer is responsible for personal response to the message] means:

13:19 When anyone hears [depends on condition of the heart] the message about the kingdom [cf. Lk. 8:11] and does not understand it [does not let the truth penetrate], the evil one [Satan] comes and snatches [to rob/plunder] away [before person really understands it and has an opportunity to believe (Lk. 8:12)] what was sown in his heart [heart represents soil; the place of decision]. This is the seed sown along the path [hard, packed path; heart made hard by the traffic of the world].

13:20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places [thin layer of dirt on top of solid rock, allowing no chance for deep roots that would enable plants to survive] is the man who hears the word and at once [immediately and impulsively] receives it [profess to follow Christ] with joy [gladly].

13:21 But since he has no root [superficial response to the gospel with temporary results; no inner conviction; no root means no fruit], he lasts only a short time [temporary]. When [the intense heat of…] trouble [pressure] or persecution [affliction associated with accepting and following Christ] comes because of the word, he quickly falls [Gr. skandalizo: to stumble over] away [cf. John 6:66 re: crowds in Galilee who ceased to follow Jesus when He made demands on them].

13:22 The one who received the seed [nothing wrong with either seed or sower] that fell among the thorns [grow quickly, absorb nutrients, and choke out life] is the man who hears the word, but [note the competing thorns as: 1] the worries [undue cares/concerns; preoccupations/distractions] of this life [world] and [2] the deceitfulness [pleasure or delight in] of wealth [cf. 1 Tim. 6:9 and Matt. 6:24; the good life; see 2 Tim. 4:10 re: Demas and his love for the world] choke it, making it unfruitful.

13:23 But the one who received the seed [same as the seed that fell on other soils] that fell on good soil [“those with a noble and good heart” (Lk. 8:15)] is the man who hears the word and understands [refers more to spiritual receptivity than to mental ability] it. He produces a crop [because of obedience to what he has heard], yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Matthew 13:31-52

Jesus told a series of parables to describe “the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 13:31), that is, the sovereign reign of God. The kingdom of heaven is not geographical or political. The kingdom of heaven is first and foremost relational — it is the rule of God in the hearts of believers.

Each parable Jesus told (Matt. 13:34) cast light on some aspect of the kingdom (Matt. 13:35). These parables are introduced by the phrase “the kingdom of heaven is like.” Two of the parables he shared illustrate how something small eventually grows into something great.

13:31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven [initially manifested in a small way in a small place] is like [similar] a [single] mustard seed [proverbial for its smallness], which a man took and planted in his field.

13:32 Though it is the smallest [easy to overlook its potential] of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest [grew to eight to ten feet high] of garden plants and becomes a tree [in same way the small beginnings of the kingdom would eventually result in the triumph of God’s rule], so that the birds of the air come and perch [indication of the size of the tree] in its branches.”

Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a single mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32) — believed to be the smallest of all seeds (Matt. 13:32). A single mustard seed was so small as to seem insignificant. But, once planted, the tiny mustard seed eventually breaks through the surface of the ground and grows to become the largest of garden plants (Matt. 13:32) — growing to a height of ten or more feet.

Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of heaven among humanity when He began His earthly ministry. At that time, the kingdom seemed as small and insignificant as a single tiny mustard seed. At other times it seemed the tender shoot would not survive in the harsh environment of religious, philosophical, and political opposition and persecution. However, like the mustard seed, the kingdom of heaven has steadily grown into something immeasurably larger. Today, God’s kingdom rule continues to expand across ethnic and geographical lines as people submit to Him all across the planet.

13:33 He told them still another parable [to illustrate another aspect of the kingdom]: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast [usually symbol of that which was evil or unclean, except in this case; “normally a small piece of dough kept from a previous baking and allowed to ferment” (Mounce); pervasive power] that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked [quietly and mysteriously] all through the dough.”

Jesus also likened the kingdom of heaven to yeast (Matt. 13:33) — a small piece of fermented dough kept from a previous baking. A small piece of yeast is capable of permeating a large amount of flour. Yeast was usually a symbol of that which was evil or unclean (see Matt. 16:6; 1 Cor. 5:6). However, Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to the pervasive power of yeast.

Like yeast, the kingdom of heaven quietly spreads from one life to another — transforming individuals one by one. This leavening activity happens as citizens of the kingdom understand and fulfill their responsibility to “preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:2).

Every Christ-follower has a responsibility to know the message, to live the message, and to share the message. As we do so, the kingdom of God quietly spreads from one transformed life to another — from home all the way to the ends of the earth.

13:34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without [refers to a regular practice, not merely to a single occasion] using a parable.

13:35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter [and by so doing cast light on the purposes of God long kept hidden] things hidden since the creation of the world.”

13:36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house [cf. Matt. 13:1; probably in Capernaum]. His disciples [needed explanation] came [took the initiative] to him [we should seek answers from Him] and said, “Explain [“make thoroughly clear right now”] to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

13:37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed [the good seed is not the Word of God, but rather represents people converted through trusting the Word] is the Son of Man [Jesus].

13:38 The field is the world [field is not the church or the human heart but rather the world; Christ sows true believers throughout the world that they might bear fruit; cf. Matt. 28:19-20], and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one [“those whose character is evil”],

13:39 and the enemy who sows them [Satan sows counterfeit Christians (cf. 2 Cor. 11:26 re: “false brothers”) who believe a counterfeit Gospel (cf. Gal. 1:6-9), are trusting in a counterfeit righteousness (cf. Rom. 10:1-3), have a counterfeit church (cf. Rev. 2:9), and will ultimately produce a counterfeit Christ at the end of the age (cf. 2 Thes. 2:1-12)] is the devil [slanderer]. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

13:40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.

13:41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes [those who work against God and try to cause as many as possible to fall] sin and all who do evil.

13:42 They will throw [cast] them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping [loud crying] and gnashing [grinding] of teeth [phrase used as an expression of anger and frustration of the damned].

13:43 Then the righteous will shine [to shine out, to shine forth] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure [emphasizes the surpassing worth of the kingdom] hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all [not too great a price to pay] he had [worth every sacrifice] and bought that field [could not live without it, willingly and gladly sold all he had to possess it].

Jesus said “the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field” (v. 44).

People sometimes resorted to burying their valuables in the ground in order to hide them from burglars or raiders.

Jesus told of a man digging in a field and unexpectedly found such a treasure — perhaps buried in a chest. Overjoyed by his discovery, the man covered up his find. Realizing he could not live without the treasure, the man then willingly and gladly sold everything he had and legally purchased the field.

Like the man digging in the field, the Apostle Paul unexpectedly came upon the treasure of a lifetime on the road to Damascus (Acts. 9:1-19).

Paul later commented, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8).

Paul considered the loss of everything in order to gain Christ the greatest bargain of his life — a very profitable exchange. Sadly, many people fail to recognize the surpassing worth of the kingdom and prefer instead to hold on to what they have (see Matt. 16:25).

13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls [emphasizes the surpassing worth of the kingdom].

Jesus also likened the kingdom of heaven to “a merchant looking for fine pearls” (v. 45).

Pearls were expensive and generally beyond the purchasing power of the average person.

In his search for fine pearls, the merchant found the pearl of his dreams. The merchant immediately recognized the surpassing value of that pearl. Perhaps his eyes widened and his jaw dropped at the first sight of the pearl. All other pearls he had ever seen paled by comparison. Without hesitation, the merchant eagerly sold all that he had and purchased the pearl.

Like the man who found the treasure and the merchant who found the pearl, people should willingly and joyfully surrender whatever they must in order to gain the kingdom. Nothing we possess or pursue can surpass the value of being a child of God and living under His rule.

I met a young missionary from eastern Europe while I was returning home from Mongolia. She shared with me how she eagerly embraced the gospel when she first heard it preached. Soon afterward she felt God leading her to take the gospel of the kingdom to the people of Mongolia. She joyfully exchanged the comforts and security of her home in order to advance the work of the kingdom in Mongolia. She expressed to me that she felt there was nothing greater in life than the privilege of knowing God and serving the interests of His kingdom. This young woman understood the surpassing worth of the kingdom.

13:46 When he found one of great value [costly], he went away and sold [rather eagerly] everything [demonstrates willingness and determination to surrender everything to gain the kingdom] he had and bought it [did not feel it was a sacrifice to do so].

13:47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net [dragnet; large rectangular seine; net pulled through water by two boats or net anchored to shored while boat pulled other end through the sea; seining process caught all kinds of fish] that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.

After sharing parables about kingdom growth and kingdom worth, Jesus shared a final parable about the kingdom of heaven with His disciples. In Matthew 13:47, Jesus said “the kingdom of heaven is like a net.”

The mention of a net would have immediately caught the attention of the fishermen in the room — Peter, Andrew, James, and John. These men had been working with nets beside the Sea of Galilee on the day Jesus had called them to follow Him (Matt. 4:18-22). Their nets represented their previous profession. However, these men chose to follow Jesus, left their fishing nets behind, and instead became “fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).

Jesus told a parable about a net that was let down into the lake. The net was probably a large and rectangular dragnet. This type of net was generally used in one of two ways. The net was either secured to two boats and pulled through the water or anchored to the shore on one end while a boat pulled the other end through the sea. Either way, this seining process effectively resulted in a catch of “all kinds of fish.”

13:48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good [edible] fish in baskets, but threw the bad [worthless, unsuitable for eating] away.

While visiting the Reindeer People in northern Mongolia, I had the opportunity to observe how men there fish with nets on frozen lakes. The fishermen cut a series of holes in the ice and then lower a net through one hole and stretch it under the ice to the farthest hole. Then, they leave the net and return to pull it out of the frigid water the following day. Amazingly, this process results in a catch of all kinds of fish. I observed as these Mongolian fishermen, like those in the parable, sorted their catch, tossing the good fish in one pile and the bad fish in another pile (Matt. 13:48).

13:49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate [on the basis of how people have responded to Jesus] the wicked [those who have rejected Christ] from the righteous [those who have placed their faith in Christ]

All kinds of people get caught in the kingdom net — those who have been truly converted and those who have never actually trusted Christ for salvation. However, Jesus explained that at the end of the age people will be separated on the basis of how they responded to Him (Matt. 13:49).

13:50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The wicked — those who rejected Christ or feigned citizenship in His kingdom — will be separated from the righteous and consigned to a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:50).

In light of this, we must not remain silent knowing that one day all people will be subject to judgment. Every person who has a saving knowledge of Christ has a personal responsibility to share that knowledge with others. We owe Christ to all people (Rom. 1:14).

13:51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.

13:52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed [reference to disciple] about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

The disciples had listened patiently as Jesus taught them about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus asked them, “Have you understood all these things?” (Matt. 13:51). The disciples replied affirmatively. Jesus continued by explaining that they were responsible for the knowledge they had received about the kingdom (Matt. 13:52).

The disciples were like scribes or teachers of the law who had received special instruction in matters concerning the kingdom of heaven. This knowledge was like a wonderful treasure deposited in the storeroom of their hearts. They were not to hide and hoard that treasure. Instead they were obligated to share that treasure with the world.

We too, are obligated to share what we know about the kingdom. John R. Mott once said that the greatest crime we can commit is to withhold what we know about Jesus from the world. Unless we are willing to open the storeroom and bring out the treasures, many people in the world today will remain spiritually impoverished. So, how should we respond to what Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 6

/ Omar C. Garcia / Leave a comment

6:1 “Be careful [caution to not do the right thing in the wrong way and for the wrong purpose] not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ [righteous deeds] before men [to impress others], to [for the purpose of] be seen by them [and receive their praise]. If you do, you will have no [Gr. ouk is a strong negative] reward from your Father in heaven.

6:2 “So when you give [charitable deeds as well as gifts] to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets [some see this as metaphorical statement, “Don’t blow your own horn!”], as the hypocrites [Gr. hupokrites literally means a play actor or pretender] do in the synagogues and on the streets, to [for the purpose of] be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full [Gr. apecho means paid in full].

6:3 But when you give to the needy, [Jesus used hyperbole to emphasize His point…] do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

6:4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

6:5 “And when you pray [Jews had three appointed prayer times: 9 AM, Noon, 3 PM], do not [translates the strong negative ouk] be like the hypocrites, for they love [Gr. phileo] to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to [for the purpose of] be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full [Gr. apecho means paid in full].

6:6 But when you pray, go into your room [away from distractions; place where you do not have to be concerned with the correctness of your words], close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

6:7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling [empty repetitions; cf. Acts 19:34] like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words [repeating or muttering the same words over and over again].

6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: [1: pray for God’s glory] “‘Our Father [assumes a personal relationship (only possible through faith in Christ); denotes authority and intimacy; God is not an impersonal deity] in heaven [literally the one in the heavens; cf. Isa. 6:1], hallowed [declare, acknowledge, treat as holy; to set apart; to hold in reverence] be your name [represented the person and his character; exalt God in prayer],

6:10 your kingdom [the reign and rule of God in the hearts of people] come [attitude is that of submission to the reign of God], your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Note: H.H. Hobbs points out that God’s kingdom may be thought of in several ways:
• God’s kingdom is God’s reign over the entire universe.
• God’s kingdom is the reign of God in people’s hearts (cf. Lk. 17:21).
• God’s kingdom is the reign of Christ now in His mediatorial kingdom (cf. 1 Cor. 15:25).
• God’s kingdom is the reign of God over His eternal kingdom (cf. 1 Cor. 15:28).
The Herschel Hobbs Commentary, Jan. – Mar. 1996 Life & Work Lessons

Note: “To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge. To do the will of God is the greatest achievement. The will of God is not always easy, but it is always right.” (Dr. George W. Truett as quoted by Hobbs)

6:11 [2: pray for our good] [prayer for physical provisions] Give [attitude of dependence on God to give what is needed; keep on giving; a request for ongoing provision] us today our daily [for the coming day; cf. Ex. 16:18-19 re: manna] bread [basic human needs].

6:12 [prayer for spiritual provisions] Forgive [to dismiss, release, send away] us our debts [refers to sins rather than financial obligations], as we also [we must treat others as we are treated by God; forgiveness is a two-way street (cf. Mk. 11:25)] have forgiven our debtors.

6:13 And lead us not [keep us from yielding to; do not allow us to be led into; expresses a desire to avoid sin; acknowledgment of our weakness and vulnerability] into temptation [cf. Jas. 1:13], but deliver us from the evil one [Satan].’

6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your [indicates that Jesus was talking to believers] heavenly Father will also forgive you.

6:15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

6:16 “When you fast [mandatory fast on Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:32); Pharisees fasted twice a week (Lk. 18:12); personal fast], do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

6:17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face [normal acts of daily hygiene],

6:18 so [purpose of instructions in previous verse: to not draw attention to oneself] that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

6:19 “Do not [do not get in the habit of] store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth [a threat to clothing, rugs, tapestries] and rust [something which ate away (could refer to mice which ate and destroyed grain, etc.)] destroy, and where [indicates treasures kept in the home] thieves break in and steal.

6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in [means dig through (homes in Jesus’ day made of clay making it easy for thieves to gain entry by digging through)] and steal.

6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good [“single” (KJV); “without folds” like a piece of unfolded cloth (Robertson); having a single focus], your whole body will be full of light.

6:23 But if your eyes are bad [or sick; one who is blind to God and His will], your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

6:24 “No one can serve [Gr. douleuein means to serve as a slave (Gr. doulos)] two masters [Gr. kurios]. Either he [a slave in the ancient world belonged to his owner absolutely and had no personal rights] will hate the one and love the other [attitude toward one master determined attitude toward the other], or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money [mammon: Aramaic, Syriac, and Punic word for the money-god or the devil (Robertson); denotes material possessions; refers to that which a person trusted].

6:25 “Therefore [links what follows with previous verses] I tell you, do not [an imperative or command] worry [to be anxious or to fret] about your life [the physical necessities of life…], what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes [trust God with the details of your life]?

6:26 Look [observe for the purpose of learning] at the birds [they are dependent on God’s daily provision; birds are not idle, but neither are they anxious] of the air; they do not [illustration of normal activities in an agricultural society…] sow or reap or store away in barns [this is not an excuse for laziness (cf. 2 Thess. 3:10)], and yet your heavenly Father [Jesus identified God as the sole basis of provision] feeds them [this is not teaching that every hungry person in the world will be fed]. Are you not much more valuable than they?

6:27 Who of you by worrying can add [prolong or lengthen] a single hour to his life?

Note: What do you worry about most? How can worrying affect your health, thoughts, emotions, relationships with others and your relationship with God?

Reflect: If Jesus spoke directly to you, what would He tell you not to worry about?

6:28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor [refers to hard work that leads to fatigue] or spin.

6:29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon [Israel’s richest king] in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

6:30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire [fuel for clay ovens], will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith [anxiety is one of the results of unbelief; faith is the antidote to worry]?

Note: What actions in your life reveal “little faith” in the Lord?

6:31 So [because God provides] do not worry [worry shows a lack of faith in God], saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

6:32 For the pagans [unbelievers; those who have no sense of God’s care for them; worry puts believers on the same level with unbelievers] run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

6:33 But seek [continuous action] first [priority] his kingdom [submit to God’s sovereignty; work to advance His kingdom] and his righteousness [live according to God’s will], and [when your priorities are right] all these things [needs; the things that people worry about] will be given to you as well.

Note: What do you seek first? What competes for first place in your list of priorities? How can misplaced priorities produce worry?

6:34 Therefore [because of God’s ability and faithfulness to provide for your needs] do not worry about tomorrow [do not invest energy worrying about what may not happen], for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble [any kind of material evil or calamity; indication that believers are not exempt from trouble or problems] of its own [a reminder to live one day at a time].

Note: How does worrying about tomorrow add to today’s burdens? Can worry change the outcome of what may happen tomorrow? What is the difference between planning for tomorrow and worrying about tomorrow? How can planning help alleviate worry?

Read: For more on anxiety and faith, read the following verses:
• Psalm 56:3
• Isaiah 41:10
• Philippians 4:6
• 1 Peter 5:7